Published author of YA and adult paranormal romance, horror, urban fantasy short stories, novellas and novels. On this site you'll find writing advice, information on my work, book reviews, author interviews and more…

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Interview with Lee Thompson

Tell us about your publishing journey…

Thank you for the questions, Nicky! Early on it involved lots of crying; these last few years it’s been more joyous. I wrote for eight years without selling anything because I sucked. Then a few things happened that changed everything.

First, agent Ethan Ellenberg (who I dedicated my forthcoming Suspense novel A BEAUTIFUL MADNESS to) looked at some of my work and gave me valuable feedback and showed me where I needed to improve.
Second, my hero Tom Piccirilli was super helpful (I also dedicated A BEAUTIFUL MADNESS to him). I think he’s one of the nicest and most talented writers around.

Third, I met a couple other writers on Zoetrope who were as serious as I was and we learned from each other.
Then things these last couple years get hazy because so much has happened. After I started hand copying some of my favorite novels, I really started learning my craft. I started selling short stories professionally to places I love like Shock Totem. I started getting blurbs from heroes like Tom Piccirilli, Jack Ketchum, Brian Hodge and Robert Dunbar. My publisher DarkFuse has been incredibly supportive of my work and Shane Staley is an inspiration in a lot of ways.

I ended up finding out what themes really mattered to me and ran with them and that helped. I have successful friends who have given me advice, listened to me whine, pimped me, and helped me in a number of other ways. I met writer Les Edgerton at Bouchercon (The World Mystery Convention) and we had a great time talking and drinking. He read my novella WHEN WE JOIN JESUS IN HELL and referred me to his agent. I write so quickly that I’ve decided I better use some pen names, but so far I haven’t. I’ve had enthusiastic book reviewers like Peter Schwotzer at Famous Monsters of Filmland, Anita Siraki at Hell Notes, Mercedes Yardley at Shock Totem, Jennifer at BookDen, etc., all help spread the word about my work. I’m pretty fortunate. Most of all I think a writer has to be persistent. And I’m very persistent.

What do you love about being an author?

Drinking mostly. Creating worlds populated by strong but severely flawed characters. Interacting with readers since I’m a reader first and an author second.

If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?

John Gardner’s version of Grendel. I’d eat pizza while he tormented and ate the Danish warriors.

If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?

For my forthcoming Suspense novel A BEAUTIFUL MADNESS I’d have Robert Duvall play the anti-hero’s cracked father Eddie Wood, and have Leonardo DiCaprio play the protagonist Sammy. I can’t imagine better actors for those roles.

As a horror writer you are looking to scare readers – what scares you?

I’ve never considered myself a Horror writer, just got plugged in that box for some reason. As to my fears: I’m scared of not reaching my potential, and not loving the good people in my life deeply enough because I’m selfish. Other than those things, a lobotomy scares the hell out of me. Not only is the process terrifying, the end result is mind-numbing.

If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?

I’d sell the time machine and buy a beach house in San Diego and a mountain retreat in Colorado Springs. I like the present.

What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?

Don’t piss your life away. I didn’t start writing until my late twenties and I was shitty and miserable without some kind of purpose in my life. When my mom had a stroke and went into a coma I needed some way to express and analyze my fears, my anger, and my uncertainty. Writing fit the bill and I can’t imagine doing anything else for a living.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

A genie. It’d be fun to watch people wish for things they’d wished they hadn’t?

Where do you write best?

On my keyboard.

What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?

NAMELESS: THE DARKNESS COMES by Mercedes M. Yardley. I thought it was terrific, sad, edgy, and beautiful, just like the author. Go read it!

If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?

Overall, I like the Suspense label best. Everything I write is Suspense, whether it’s realistic or supernatural, so I can kind of cover a lot of ground that way.

Bad Blood – Battle of the Undead #1

“I am Britannia. I am your protector. I will fend off the hungry hordes of undead hands that reach toward you. I am your steadfast defender. I will stand between you and the zombie masses as they try to taste your flesh. I am strong, unyielding, and dedicated to your survival. All I ask from you… is your blood.”

Bad Blood Reviews

5 Stars: This book is freaking Awesome! I read it in like three hours! I couldn’t put the book down the action was mind blowing and the story was riveting! Amanda Masters Reviews

5 Stars: Now, the main reason I loved this book so much was the action. Every word describes action. Every page has action. I also really love the author’s selection of different species of the book and the contrast between the two: the vampires and the zombies. Girl in the Wood Reviews

4 Stars: Bad Blood brings an exciting new take on Vampires. I have to admit, vampire books have been boring me lately, but when you add zombies to the mix…. Loved it!! Genie (Goodreads)

5 Stars: I loved it.. Not really into a Zombie Book, but because it had Vampires I gave it a try and wow.. really a fast paced action book for a short read. Valerie (Goodreads)

Bad Timing – Battle of the Undead #2

Bad Timing - Battle of the Undead #2 out now!

Traitors’ Gate – Battle of the Undead #0.5 – FREE READ

About Nicky Peacock

My published books

Bad Blood – Battle of the Undead #1

So Long and Thanks for all the Brains – Available: http://www.amazon.co.uk/So-Long-Thanks-All-Brains-ebook/dp/B006T3L2CW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410436510&sr=8-1&keywords=so+long+and+thanks+for+all+the+brains